Voices In My Head (The Rick Lee James Podcast)

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #199: Author David Morrell Returns

David Morrell is best known for his acclaimed thrillers, including The Brotherhood of the Rose, Creepers, Murder as a Fine Art, and his debut novel, First Blood, in which Rambo first appeared. But Morrell is also a master of nonfiction. Twenty of his essays about iconic writers, actors, and singers are collected in STARS IN MY EYES: MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH BOOKS, MOVIES, AND MUSIC.
Morrell describes how at the age of 17 he was fired from working on a construction project and walked home in despair, only to turn on the television and see Rod Serling’s Patterns, which gave him a life-long lesson about story construction. He tells how Stirling Silliphant’s scripts for the classic TV series Route 66prompted him to write to Silliphant for advice about becoming a writer. Silliphant replied with a two-page single-spaced letter that Morrell looks at every day. (Silliphant and Morrell eventually became friends and worked together on the NBC miniseries of Morrell’s The Brotherhood of the Rose.)
The essays in this captivating book range from Henry James’s ghost stories to Steve McQueen’s abusive personality to Bobby Darin’s tragic last days. Did you know that John Wayne was a master chess player or that Frank Sinatra had permanent facial scars or that when Marilyn Monroe was married to Joe DiMaggio, there was a reason apart from baseball for him to be called “the slugger”? Ever heard of Richard Harding Davis? In his day he was the most famous author in America. His adventures provided a model upon which Stephen Crane, Jack London, and Ernest Hemingway built their personas.
Alfred Hitchcock, Richard Matheson, Wilkie Collins, John D. Macdonald’s Travis McGee: these are some of the other fascinating figures that Morrell profiles in this mesmerizing collection that’s as compelling as it is revealing.
David Morrell's Web Site: http://davidmorrell.net
Gauntlet Press: https://www.gauntletpress.com/product/stars-eyes-love-affair-books-movies-music-3/
 

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #198: The Invitation - The Wesleyan View of the Eucharist with guests Lisa Michaels and Matthew Price

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #198: The Invitation - The Wesleyan View of the Eucharist with guests Lisa Michaels and Matthew Price.
With the release of my new music video, The Invitation, on Ash Wednesday, March 1st, I wanted to have a conversation on the Eucharist as viewed through a Wesleyan lens. Lisa, Matt and I have a great conversation about the welcoming call to fellowship in the body of Christ at the Lord's table.
Matt Price teaches intercultural studies at Mount Vernon Nazarene University and is the pastor of The Shepherd's House, a Church of the Nazarene that meets in a local pub. 
L Michaels is a follower of Jesus, theology student, author, blogger, editor, educator, wife, mom, and aspiring peacemaker.  She has a B.S.M. (business management) from Indiana Wesleyan University and an M.A. and M.Div. (both in theology/spiritual formation) from Northwest Nazarene University.  L writes about theology, the sacraments, and ministry to the least of these at Flip Flops, Glitter, and Theology (.com). In her spare time, L sings and dances with babies (AKA teaches early childhood music), plans outlandish vacations, drinks voluminous amounts of Peppermint Bark Mocha (preferably at local coffee shops), and masquerades as Catholic, so she can participate in the Eucharist more often. 
 
The Invitation
Credits:
Words and music by Rick Lee James and Andrew Greer
Copyright
© Copyright 2014, Assigned 2015 McKinney Music, Inc. (BMI) (admin. by LifeWay Worship c/o Music Services, www.musicservices.org)/ Mr. Andy’s Music (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission. CCLI #7016054
- See more at: http://www.lifewayworship.com/findAndBuy/songPage/TheInvitation?versionId=93906&searchString=The%20Invitation#add-info

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #197 - I Will Think On These Things

Philippians 4:8 is what guides this episode: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.
 
 This episode is a study and meditation on how good things get imprinted into our thoughts. Take some time for prayerful listening to what God may be speaking to our hearts.
 
Feauring the original song by Rick Lee James: The Love of Christ

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #196: How To Disagree Agreeably

The level of discourse in this country seems to be at an all time low. Instead of having face to face conversations we just all seem to be writing rude, snarky, and disrespectful comments about each other on social media. As followers of Christ we should lead the way in having generous conversations, seasoned with grace. On this episode I dive into a few ways to have discussions with people with whom we disagree. The hope is that we might be able to stop looking at our conversations as a competitions to be won, and seek  honest dialogues where we hear each other, even when we disagree.

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #195: The Refugee Conversations

This episode deals with an article from the European Church of the Nazarene and conversations that they want Christians around the world to have with and about refugees. It's a highly volatile climate right now and it is my hope that this episode of Voices In My Head Podcast will bring us all into a greater understanding of the plight of refugees and our conversations with and about them. Alternative facts are not permitted.
Blessings,
Rick Lee James

Episode #194 - Joy and Sorrow Meet with Weston Skaggs

 
Weston Skaggs is the Voice In My Head this episode. The dramatic birth of his daughter, near loss of his wife in that childbirth, and the adoption of his son all were life altering experiences that fed into the songs on his first full length album: Joy & Sorrow Meet.
Produced by Chris Hoisington of Brothers McClurg, Joy & Sorrow Meet marries Weston’s vocation as a church worship leader and his penchant for personal storytelling. Raw lyrics set to music that doesn’t mind showing off it’s “humanness” draws the listener into a journey of the heart. Stylistically, the album combines classic gospel and folk, strung together with alt-country instrumentation, then set in an indie-sonic landscape.
 
Weston Skaggs is many things. A South Carolina boy raised in Ohio. Husband to Amy and daddy to Paisley and Bo. Singer/songwriter. Beard enthusiast. Registered nurse. Star Wars nerd. A no longer suffering Cleveland sports fan. And most importantly: Christian. This causes his music to be painted with the brushes of redemption, faith, hope, and love. "I have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that changed me from my blindness and self-centeredness to a life of purpose. I'm passionate to create a fresh and unique musical sound that offers encouragement to the church and hope to lost and hurting people.", Skaggs says.
 
Find out more at www.westonskaggsmusic.com

Voices In My Head Podcast Episode #193 with Science Mike McHargue

Mike McHargue (better known as Science Mike) is the best-selling author of Finding God in the Waves, host of Ask Science Mike and co-host of The Liturgists Podcast. He's a leading voice on matters of science and religion with a monthly reach in the hundreds of thousands. Among other outlets, Mike has written for RELEVANT, Don Miller's Storyline, BioLogos, and The Washington Post.Mike loves sharing ideas in person, and is an in-demand speaker at conferences, churches, and colleges.  He's recently spoken to sold-out crowds in New York about the science of addiction, explained the science of storytelling at Storyline in Chicago, and shown people how Christianity can embrace the modern world at Belong in London.Mike lives in Tallahassee, FL with his wife Jenny and two daughters.
http://mikemchargue.com/

Voices In My Head Episode #192: Guest Troy Bronsink at the Hive

My guest today on Voices In My Head is Troy Bronsink
Troy is the founder and director of The Hive: A Center for Contemplation, Art, and Action, a nonprofit social enterprise in Cincinnati curating contemplative small groups and mindfulness in the workplace. Troy is also a singer, a songwriter, and speaker who has spent the last 15 years speaking, leading music, and leading retreats for creatives, social activists and faith groups. He is also the author of the book, Drawn In: A Creative Process For Artists, Activists, and Jesus Followers.
 
Find out more about The Hive:
http://www.cincyhive.org
Troy Bronsink's Web site:
http://www.troybronsink.com
 
 

Episode #191 - An Appeal To Christians Regarding President-Elect Donald Trump

Episode 191 is an appeal to Christians regarding President-Elect Donald Trump. This appeal consists of 5 things.
1. We will pray for President-elect Trump, elected officials, our nation, our churches, and each other.
2. Rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the prophets, we will tell the truth about the world around us, and we will speak up for those who have been marginalized and taken advantage of.
3. We will actively resist the temptation to overlook or normalize values, speech, and behavior that are in conflict with what Scripture calls us to.
4. In the name of Jesus, we call President-elect Trump to repentance for dishonoring the image of God in others.
5. We will fix our eyes on Jesus and, by the power of the Holy Spirit, redouble our efforts to honor the image of God in all people and to love all our neighbors as ourselves.
 
Add your name at 
https://appealtochristians.com

Episode 190 - Karl Barth Christmas Day Sermon 1918

"How should we know that there is heaven after death, when this side of death we expect nothing of heaven?" - Karl Barth (from his Christmas Day Sermon 1918)